Bonding tool for attaching prepared adhesive to bonding part

Abstract

A manually operated or automated bonding tool for the attachment of a formed adhesive element to a bonding part is disclosed. The bonding tool includes a loading module in which the bare bonding part is loaded, an oven module in which the bare bonding part is heated, an adhesive picking station module in which the adhesive is attached to the heated bare bonding part, and a part transfer module which advances the bare bonding part sequentially from the loading module, through the oven module, and to the adhesive picking station module. The oven module includes an elongated heating block having a bonding part guide by which the bare bonding parts are transferred through the oven and to the adhesive picking station module. The part transfer module is used to push the unheated bare bonding part into and through the oven module and into position on the adhesive picking station module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for attaching an adhesive element to a bonding part comprising the steps of:
 forming a bonding tool having a loading station module for receiving an unheated bonding part, an oven module for receiving and heating the unheated bonding part, an adhesive picking station module for attachment of the adhesive element to the heated bonding part, and a bonding tool base to which said loading station module, said oven module, said adhesive picking station module, said picking station having an adhesive element retainer, and said part slide module are fitted;   placing an adhesive element onto said adhesive element retainer of said adhesive picking station module;   placing an unheated bare bonding part on said loading station module;   moving the unheated bonding part from said loading station module into said oven module for heating;   moving the heated bonding part from said oven module to said adhesive picking station module; and   using an applicator to attach the heated bonding part and the adhesive element.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  including the steps of adding to said bonding tool a part slide module for and selectively and sequentially advancing the unheated bonding part simultaneously from said loading station module, into and through said oven module, and the heated part to said adhesive picking station module and manipulating said part slide module to effect such movement. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said bonding tool can accommodate bonding parts of different sizes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said bonding tool further includes a reciprocating piston and wherein said adhesive picking station module includes an adhesive tablet cartridge and a transparent window, at least a portion of said reciprocating piston being visible through said transparent window when said adhesive tablet cartridge is empty. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said adhesive picking station module further includes a movable adhesive tablet slide and wherein said movable adhesive tablet slide is locked against movement when said reciprocating piston is visible through said transparent window. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said bonding tool further includes at least one indicator light which changes from a first color to a second color to indicate a change in tool condition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said at least one indicator light comprises three indicator lights with each light being changeable from a first color to a second color and wherein said movable adhesive tablet slide is only slidable when all indicator lights achieve a pre-selected color. 
     
     
         8 . A method for attaching an adhesive element to a bonding part comprising the steps of:
 forming a bonding tool having a loading station module, an oven module, an adhesive picking station module, and a bonding tool base to which said loading station module, said oven module, said adhesive picking station module, and said part slide module are fitted, said picking station having an adhesive retainer;   placing an adhesive element onto said adhesive element retainer of said adhesive picking station module;   placing an unheated bare bonding part on said loading station module;   moving the unheated bonding part from said loading station module into said oven module for heating;   moving the heated bonding part from said oven module to said adhesive picking station module; and   using an applicator to attach the heated bonding part and the adhesive element.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  including the steps of adding to said bonding tool a part slide module for and selectively and sequentially advancing the unheated bonding part simultaneously from said loading station module, into and through said oven module, and the heated part to said adhesive picking station module and manipulating said part slide module to effect such movement. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said bonding tool can accommodate bonding parts of different sizes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said bonding tool further includes a reciprocating piston and wherein said adhesive picking station module includes an adhesive tablet cartridge and a transparent window, at least a portion of said reciprocating piston being visible through said transparent window when said adhesive tablet cartridge is empty. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said adhesive picking station module further includes a movable adhesive tablet slide and wherein said movable adhesive tablet slide is locked against movement when said reciprocating piston is visible through said transparent window. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said bonding tool further includes at least one indicator light which changes from a first color to a second color to indicate a change in tool condition. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said at least one indicator light comprises three indicator lights with each light being changeable from a first color to a second color and wherein said movable adhesive tablet slide is only slidable when all indicator lights achieve a pre-selected color.